It was solely a pre-season pleasant in opposition to Villarreal, but there was nonetheless a sense of pleasure and anticipation heading to Emirates Stadium as Arsenal supporters regarded to see new £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres in motion.
Followers are desperately hoping the 27-year-old striker would be the lacking piece whose arrival permits the Gunners to raise a trophy for the primary time since 2020.
The loudest cheers earlier than kick-off had been for Gyokeres when his identify was learn out within the beginning line-up. The one noise to rival it got here for the introduction of gifted 15-year-old Max Dowman.
There was expectation each time the ball went close to the Sweden worldwide and it regarded as if his team-mates had been additionally making an attempt to verify Gyokeres scored on his first begin, and at his new house floor.
That didn’t occur as Arsenal misplaced 3-2 to the La Liga facet, with one other summer time signing Christian Norgaard and captain Martin Odegaard on course in every half.
However there have been promising indicators, and the hour Gyokeres performed might be essential to his health earlier than Arsenal begin the brand new Premier League season at Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August.
Having not skilled with a workforce for 2 months after leaving Sporting, and with one other Arsenal sport to observe on Saturday in opposition to Athletic Bilbao, supervisor Mikel Arteta stated the ahead will “100%” be prepared for the Previous Trafford take a look at.
“I believe mentally, and understanding what he must do, he might be 100% or extra,” added the Spaniard.
“As a result of he’s so keen and so assured he can ship right away, I’ve no doubts he might be in a extremely good place.
“We already broke that line in the present day, as a result of I believe it was crucial for him to start out a match and begin to have the sensation and the reference to the workforce.
“He is been with us solely every week or so, however I already noticed lots of issues and lots of function, particularly the best way he was attacking in sure areas.
“So, basically, for lots of gamers that have not performed many minutes, we have now so much now that they will be prepared for Saturday [against Bilbao] in a a lot better situation.”
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